The Federal Ministry of Environment has successfully hosted the 18th National Council on Environment (NCE) meeting in Katsina State, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s response to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
A report by Asagun Ronke from Media department NOSDRA says the three-day council meeting, held at the Katsina State Secretariat, was themed “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”. It provided a strategic platform for policymakers, environmental experts, development partners and regulatory agencies to deliberate on practical solutions for improved environmental governance and sustainable development nationwide.
In his address, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, underscored the urgency of confronting the triple planetary crises, warning that climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution pose serious threats to Nigeria’s economic growth, food security, public health and livelihoods.
He noted that the increasing incidence of flooding, desertification, ecosystem degradation and pollution across the country highlights the need for decisive and coordinated national action.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance through enhanced collaboration among federal, state and local governments, as well as strategic partnerships with the private sector, development partners and host communities.
He urged stakeholders to translate the resolutions of the council into concrete, actionable policies that will drive sustainable development and safeguard the environment for present and future generations.
Speaking in line with the theme of the council, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, stressed that Nigeria’s response to environmental challenges must be driven by strong institutional coordination, science-based policies and sustained collaboration across all levels of government and relevant stakeholders.
Engr. Woke noted that the interconnected nature of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution demands closer synergy among governments, regulatory institutions, the private sector, development partners and host communities.
He identified pollution particularly oil spills as a major threat to ecosystems, livelihoods and sustainable development, requiring deliberate and sustained regulatory action.
According to him, environmental degradation continues to worsen climate impacts and weaken biodiversity, while gaps in coordination and financing undermine effective pollution control.
Director General said regulatory agencies like NOSDRA must be adequately supported through clear policies, innovative financing and inter-agency cooperation to deliver meaningful environmental protection outcomes.
The NOSDRA Director General aligned the agency’s mandate with key national initiatives such as the National Adaptation Plan, the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and the Great Green Wall Programme, emphasising that environmental protection is not a sectoral issue but the foundation of public health, economic stability and national development.
At the close of the meeting, Engr. Woke described the 18th NCE as timely and impactful, commending the Federal Ministry of Environment for convening the council.
He expressed confidence that the resolutions reached would strengthen inter-agency collaboration and enhance effective responses to oil spill management, pollution control and other environmental challenges.
The 18th National Council on Environment meeting concluded with renewed commitments by stakeholders to implement actionable policies and strategies aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s environment and ensuring sustainable development for present and future generations.
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